Download Types of Computers & Computer Hardware

Computer Basics
Computer Technology
The History of
the Computer
&
Then
Now
Computer Evolution

1642 Blaise Pascal – mechanical adding
machine
Computer Evolution
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Early 1800’s
Jacquard – uses
punch cards to
control the pattern
of the weaving loom.
1832 Charles
Babbage - invents
the Difference
Engine
The Punch Card

1890 Herman
Hollerith – invents a
machine using punch
card to tabulate info
for the Census. He
starts the company
that would later be
IBM.
Evolution (continued)
1946 – Mauchly and Eckert created the
ENIAC computer, first electronic
computer is unveiled at University of
Pennsylvania (shown on next slide)
ENIAC Computer
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Miles of wiring
18,000 vacuum tubes
Thousands of resistors and switches
No monitor
3,000 blinking lights
Cost $486,000
100,000 additions per second
Weighed 30 tons
Filled a 30x50 foot room
Lights of Philadelphia would dim when it
booted up
1943
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Base codes develop by Grace Hopper
while working on the Mark I
programming project.
She invented the phrase “bug” – an
error in a program that causes a
program to malfunction.
1950s
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Vacuum Tubes were the components for
the electronic circuitry
Punch Cards main source of input
Speeds in milliseconds (thousands/sec)
100,000 additions/sec.
Used for scientific calculations
New computers were the rule, cost
effectiveness wasn’t’
1960s
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Transistors were electronic circuitry
(smaller, faster, more reliable than vacuum
tubes)
Speeds in microseconds (millionth/sec)
200,000 additions/sec.
Computers In Businesses: Emphasis on
marketing of computers to businesses
Data files stored on magnetic tape
Computer Scientists controlled operations
Late 60’s Early 70’s
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Integrated circuit boards
New input methods such as plotters,
scanners
Software became more important
Sophisticated operating systems
Improved programming languages
Storage capabilities expanded (disks)
1970’s Integrated circuits
and silicone chips lead to
smaller microprocessors
Late 80’s to Current
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Improved circuitry – several thousand
transistors placed on a tiny silicon chip.
Pentium chip named by Intel
Modems – communication along telephone
wires
Portable computers: laptops
Increased storage capabilities: gigabytes
Emphasis on information needed by the
decision maker.
The Information Processing
Cycle
MAIN
MEMORY
INPUT
PROCESSING
AUXILIARY
STORAGE
OUTPUT
INPUT
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INPUT DEVICES
(Hardware)
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Trackball
Light pen
Image scanner
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Touch tone telephone
Touch screens
Bar code scanner
Digitizer
Voice recognition
Auxiliary Storage
Device
PROCESSING
PROCESSING
HARDWARE
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Central Processing Unit: CPU
The Brains or Intelligence of the
computer. Controls input and
output
The part of the computer that
interprets and executes
instructions.
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Silicon chip: integrated circuit board
Pentium: name give to a particular
chip
What two numbers are used
in Binary Code?
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0 and 1
They are each called a BIT
8 BITS make a BYTE
1 BYTE makes a letter or
number
KILOBYTE = 1,024 bytes
MEGABYTE = 1,048,576 bytes
GIGABYTE = 1,024 megabytes
TERABYTE = 1,024 gigabytes
MEMORY
MEMORY
PROCESSING HARDWARE
ROM
RAM
READ ONLY MEMORY
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Small
Instructions are
installed permanently
at the factory
Cannot be changed
These instructions
check the computer’s
resources and looks
for Operating System
RANDOM ACCESS
MEMORY
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Main Memory
Temporary—it is erased
when turned off.
It is where programs and
data is stored while being
processed
OUTPUT DEVICES
(HARDWARE)
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Useful information that leaves the system
Output Hardware includes:
•Monitor: soft copy
•Printers: hard copy
•Flat Panel displays
•Voice and music - speakers
•Synthesizers
•Plotters
OUTPUT
AUXILIARY STORAGE
DEVICES
AUXILIARY
STORAGE
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Network Drive (H: drive)
Hard Disk Drive (C:drive)
Floppy Disk Drive with 3
½” Floppy Disk (A:drive)
Smart card
CD Read/Write Drive
Zip Drive
Digital Audio Tape
Computer Hardware
Hardware

Includes the electronic and mechanical
devices that process the data; refers to
the computer as well as peripheral
devices
System Unit
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Case that holds the power supply,
storage devices and the circuit boards
(including the motherboard).
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
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Where the
processing in a
computer takes
place, often called
the brain of the
computer.
Circuits
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The path from one
component of a
computer to another
that data uses to
travel.
Circuits run between
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RAM and the
microprocessor
RAM and various
storage devices
Silicon Chip
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Silicon is melted
sand.
What the circuits
are embedded into
to keep them
together.
Peripheral Devices
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Devices connected by cable to the CPU.
Used to expand the computer’s input,
output and storage capabilities.
Input Devices
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Units that gather
information and
transform that
information into a
series of electronic
signals for the
computer.
Keyboard
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An arrangement of
letters, numbers,
and special function
keys that act as the
primary input device
to the computer.
Mouse
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An input device that
allows the user to
manipulate objects
on the screen by
moving the mouse
along the surface of
the desk.
Sound Card
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A circuit board that
gives the computer
the ability to accept
audio input, play
sound files, and
produce audio output
through speakers or
headphones.
Modem
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A device that sends
and receives data to
and from computers
over telephone lines.
Means (Modulate –
Demodulate).
Output Devices
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Devices that display,
print or transmit the
results of processing
from the computers
memory.
Monitor
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Display device that forms an image by
converting electronic signals from the
computer into points of colored light on
the screen.
Resolution
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The density of the grid used to display
or print text and graphics; the greater
the horizontal and vertical density, the
higher the resolution.
The amount of Pixels on the screen.
The more pixels the better the
resolution.
Pixels
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The smallest unit in a graphic image;
computer display devices use a matrix
of pixels to display text and graphics.
Basic unit of composition of an image on
a TV screen, Computer monitor, or
similar display
Printer
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Output device that
produces text or
graphical images on
paper.
Speakers
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Output devices that receive signals
from the computer’s sound card to play
music, narration, or sound effects.
Storage Devices
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Used to keep data
when the power to
the computer is
turned off.
Different forms
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Hard disk
Floppy or zip disks
CD-Writer
Formatted
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Arrangement of data for storage or
display.
All storage devices must be formatted.
Hard Disk
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Rigid magnetic disk mounted for
permanent storage
Floppy Disk
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Small portable magnetic disk enclosed in
stiff envelope
Compact Discs
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CD-ROM
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CD-R
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Compact disk with read only memory
Compact disk which you can write to only
one time. It then becomes a read only disk.
CD-RW
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Compact disk which you may rewrite to.
DVD
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DVD ROM
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DVD-R
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Digital Video Disk which is read only.
Digital Video Disk which can be written to
one time. It then becomes read only.
DVD-RW
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Digital Video Disk which can be rewritten
to.
Flash or Jump Drives
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External storage devices that can be
used like a external hard drive.
They have the capability to be saved to,
deleted from, and files can be renamed
just like with a normal hard drive.
Software
Components
Software
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A computer program that tells the
computer how to perform particular
tasks.
Program
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A series of commands and executable
files that produce results.
Operating System
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Software that translates a computers
commands and allows application
programs to interact with the
computer’s hardware
Examples:
Windows XP
 Unix
 OS 10 (MAC)
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Application Software
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Program that performs a specific
function.
Examples
Microsoft Office
 Adobe Photoshop
 WordPerfect
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Multitasking
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Ability to do more than one thing at a
time.
Computers can run several application
software programs and the operating
system at the same time.
Software Use
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Icon
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GUI (Graphical User Interface)
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Image that represent executable files.
Graphics that aid in accomplishing tasks.
Icons on screen.
Menus
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List or table of executable files
Types of Computers
Super Computer
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Mainframe computer which is the
largest, fastest or most powerful at one
given time.
A computer that was the fastest in the
world at the time it was constructed.
Can tackle tasks that would not be
practical for other computers
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Typical uses
Breaking codes
 Modeling weather systems
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Mainframe
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Large powerful computer often serving
many connected terminals.
Large expensive computer capable of
simultaneously processing data for
hundreds or thousands of users.
Used to store, manage, and process
large amounts of data that need to be
reliable, secure, and centralized.
Usually housed in a closet sized cabinet.
Server
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A computer that processes request for
HTML and other documents that are
components of Web pages.
Purpose is to “serve.”
A computer that has the purpose of
supplying its users with data; usually
through the use of a LAN (Local Area
Network).
Workstation
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Desktop computer which is usually more
powerful than a Microcomputer.
Powerful desktop computer designed for
specialized tasks.
A microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs
on power from an electrical wall outlet.
The CPU can be housed in either a vertical or
horizontal case.
Has separate components (keyboard, mouse,
etc.) that are each plugged into the computer.
Desktop Microcomputer
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Small computer based on a
microprocessor.
A personal computer designed to meet
the needs of an individual; provides a
variety of applications.
Provides access to a wide variety of
computing applications, such as word
processing, photo editing, e-mail, and
internet.
Laptop or Notebook
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Portable, compact computer that runs
on a wall outlet or battery unit with all
components in one unit.
All components (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
are in one compact unit.
Usually more expensive than a
comparable desktop.
Sometimes called a notebook.
Handheld
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Also called a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant).
A computer that fits into a pocket, runs
on batteries, and is used while holding in
your hand.
Typically used as an appointment book,
address book, calculator, and notepad.
Can be synchronized with a personal
microcomputer as a backup.
Networks
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File Server
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A computer dedicated to running
applications and storing data. May be
shared with other workstations
IP address
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A unique address assigned to a computer so
that it may be located across the web.
Network
 Two
or more computers and
other devices that are
connected, for the purpose
of sharing data and
programs.
Types of Networks
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LAN Intranetwork
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Local Area Network A method by which
multiple computers are connected. (CJH)
WAN InternetworkWide
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Wide Area Network by which large
geographical areas can be connected.
(Davis District)
Computer
Performance and
Processing
Boot Process
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Sequence of events that occurs between
the time you turn on a computer and the
time that it becomes ready to accept
commands.
Purposes
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Runs a diagnostic test to make sure everything
is working.
Loading the operating system, so the computer
can carry out basic operations.
6 events of the boot
process:
 Power
up
 Start boot program
 Power-on self-test
 Identify peripheral devices
 Load operation system
 Check configuration and
customization
Megahertz (mHz)
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A measurement used to describe the
speed of the system clock.
A megahertz is equal to one million
cycles (or pulses) per second.
1.3 GHz means that the
microprocessor’s clock operates at a
speed of 1.3 million cycles per second.
Pentium
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Name of the CPU.
Pentium is the 5th generation of the
Intel processor.
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Other generations were called:
80-88
 286
 386
 486
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RAM vs. ROM
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RAM
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“Random Access Memory”
The ability of a storage
devices to go directly to a
specific storage location
without having to search
sequentially for a
beginning location.
Very volatile
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Cannot hold data when
the power is off.
Losses all data when
power is lost.
ROM
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“Read only memory”
Drives can read data
from disks, but cannot
store new data on them.
One or more integrated
circuits that contain
permanent instructions
that the computer uses
during the boot process.
Binary Number System
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A method for representing numbers
using only two digits 0 and 1.
Bit – each 0 or 1.
Byte – 8 bits
Also referred to as Base 2 Binary Code.
Memory Measurements
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Bit
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Byte
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Approximately 1 million bytes (Exactly 1, 048,576 bytes)
Gigabyte
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Approximately 1 thousand bytes
Megabyte
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8 bits
Kilobyte
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Each 0 or 1
Approximately 1 billion bytes
Terabyte
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Approximately 1 trillion bytes
Basic Terms
Basic Terms
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Computer
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A device that accepts input, processes
data, stores data, and produces output, all
according to a series of stored
instructions.
Basic Terms
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Input
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Output
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Any information, data, sound, etc. that is
created and fed into the computer.
Useful information that leaves the system.
Data
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Facts used by the computer. Refers to the
symbols that represent facts, objects or
ideas.
Basic Terms
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Processing
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Memory
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Manipulation of the data in many ways
Area of the computer that temporarily
holds data waiting to be processed, stored,
or output.
Storage
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Area of the computer that holds data on a
permanent basis when it is not immediately
needed for processing.
Basic Terms
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File management
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Folders
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A method of organizing files and folders to
make data more easily accessible.
Location of physical media where data is
stored
File
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Individual document created and saved by
the user.